Justice News

Two Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stabbing

COEUR D’ALENE – Jerome Leen-Whitewater, 34, of Post Falls, Idaho, and co-defendant Chauncey Franklin Whitright IV, 40, of Worley, Idaho, were sentenced this week in U.S. District Court for assault resulting in serious bodily injury, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye sentenced Leen-Whitewater to 63 months in prison and Whitright to 55 months in prison. Both defendants, upon completion of their time, were ordered to serve three years on supervised release.

According to court records, on August 18, 2018, law enforcement officers responded to a stabbing that occurred at a home in Worley. Officers soon learned that the Leen-Whitewater and Whitright had entered the home, separated the residents into different areas, and then physically assaulted the victim. During the assault, Leen-Whitewater used a knife to stab the victim in the stomach, and Whitright punched the victim several times in the face. Officers who arrived at the home provided aid to the victim, who was ultimately transported to a local hospital and treated for his injuries.

The case was investigated by the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.